January 05, 2012

Terrific Graphic 45 Tutorials!

Hello G45ers,

Thank you all so much for joining us on this wonderful day! We have two awesome tutorials from our design team members Nancy Wethington and Robin Shakoor. Both of these tutorials feature some fun and clever techniques that you're sure to love. First up is this amazing mini album by Nancy Wethington. This is the perfect time of year for mini albums! Now that the holidays are over, most of us have lots of fun photos. What better way to immortalize your holiday memories than with a beautiful album like this one! Here, Nancy takes you through her creative process with this amazing mini! Take it away, Nancy!

I loved the scroll work on the cover of this Want2Scrap Gate Album and decided to pair it up with several of the Graphic 45 paper collections to create a mini suitable for a bridal shower. With gifts ranging anywhere from household items to negligee, Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess and Fashionista seemed like a good starting point.

I wanted to create an old world feel for this beautifully cut gate covers and used a painting technique learned from a fellow blogger from England.

Since you could see the first pages through the die-cut gates, I decided to let these beautifully dressed women be seen through the *doors*.

After wallpapering each panel, there is room for up to 5 photos with 2 additional pockets for more photos or journaling.

Another 5 photos will fit on these 4 panels. With the addition of a fold-out booklet, more photos or journaling may be added. Or perhaps the list of gifts received!

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To the last panels in the book I added journaling tags with Graphic 45 Staples envelopes. The envelopes were cut to fit the width of the panels and then the cut ends were *sealed* with more Domestic Goddess paper.

With the help of paint from Modern Masters, I was able to create a bronzed patina to both the die-cut chipboard and the Graphic 45 Staple Metal Flowers.

This is a very simple 2 step process. The first step is to paint Modern Masters Bronze onto the chipboard or metal (amazing that this works on both). Do NOT dry.

While the paint is still wet, spritz the Modern Masters Patina Aging Solution (I used green) finish on top of the wet paint.

Let dry. How easy is that!

Notes about this technique.

Your base may need 2 coats (the chipboard I used required 2 coats but the Graphic 45 metal only 1 coat). Let the first coat dry and then apply the patina to the second coat while still wet.

I tried to use the Patina Aging Solution on top of a Ranger Metallic Dabber and it did not work nearly as well as using the Modern Masters Metal paints.

Next up is this wonderful card tutorial by Robin Shakoor. Robin's cards are always so stunning. Have you ever wondered how she makes such gorgeous pop-up cards? Well today you're in luck! Robin has prepared this fabulous tutorial that shows you exactly how to do it! This is such a great technique and it can be used any time of the year to create the perfect card! So get ready to be amazed and have a lot of fun with the wonderful Robin Shakoor!

Card making is a passion for me and this is one of the most intricate cards that I make. I used a template (Circle Pop Up Card) from a company called Let’s Party Hearty to create this fun card base. Today I will share the steps I took to create the finished card.

Step 1 – Using the reverse side of the paper you wish to use, lightly mark your cut lines and score lines using a pencil. The template and instructions has these lines identified.

Step 2 – Follow the instructions to cut and score your lines.

Step 3 – Fold your card according to the score lines. You will now see your card design take form. When you begin to fold your card, you will find that you will have to make slight adjustments. Be sure to do so before moving to step 4

Step 4 – Glue your card base together. I suggest using a strong adhesive such as Scor Tape. Be careful that you do not glue the moving parts of the card. Now you can begin to decorate your card.

Step 5 – Using the template, you will create a top layer for the cover of the card. You will need to alter it just a bit to fit the center circle. Tie Ribbon to the left of the semi-circle. Adhere to the front of the card base. Add buttons.

Step 6 – Die cut a beaded circle and adhere to the center of the card base. (Add liquid pearls once you have finished your entire card) Cut the little girl image from An ABC Primer - Games and Playtime patterned paper and adhere to the center of the die cut using foam squares.

Step 7 – Cut ruler from An ABC Primer – School Days patterned paper. You will then cut the ruler in half lengthwise. Once this is done, adhere to the inside, top and bottom of your card base as shown. (I cut my ruler into 4 separate pieces, be sure to measure first).

Step 9 – Cut “W, X, Y, Z” from An ABC Primer – School Days patterned paper. Ink the edges with Fired Brick Distress Ink then adhere to the right, center of card as shown. Add “School Days” tab to the top, right side of card. Add embellishments.

Here is the finished inside of your card. I hope you give this card a try. Enjoy!

That's all for today, G45ers. Thank you all so much for joining us today! Please be sure to stop by tomorrow as we bring you more fabulous crafts and announce a winner for this week's blog prize. There's still a chance to enter to win this week! Just leave a blog or Facebook comment telling us about something you are most looking forward to in the new year! Big thanks to Nancy Wethington and Robin Shakoor for their gorgeous work today. We hope you all have a terrific Thursday!

Loved the tutorial.. I am currently working on a mini album using G45 on the boardwalk papers and I am feeling good to see what more I can add to my mini.. :) Loved the card.. I want to try this for the valentines day, will make a card for my hubby with one of our marriage pic on the round and will use stempunk papers for it.. :)

Both of these projects are amazing! I love Nancy's album - wow! Just blows my mind :) And Robins' card is lovely! I can't wait to try these projects - thanks so much for the tutorials! I am looking forward to catching up on my scrapbooks and learning new techniques to make mini albums!

Wow, love these projects! I need to get some of that faux metal paint, the effect is fabulous!
This is great inspiration for me to pull out my paints and little-used supplies to play around and see what I can come up with! That is my New Years resolution!

Amazing card tut!! There is one picture I seriously need to study...not sure if the 'cut out' card is glued to another card on the back....but this is gorgeous! Thank you all for your continued talent to share!!! Happy New Year!!